Estimates Day Debate: Spending of the Department for Transport
On 25 June 2025 there will be an Estimates day debate on the spending of the Department for Transport

This short paper explains what local road charging schemes are, how they can be implanted and what the attitudes of successive governments have been to their introduction.
Local road charges (262 KB , PDF)
The Labour Government legislated more than a decade and a half ago to allow local authorities to establish local road charging schemes in their areas: these were aimed at combating congestion and tackling poor air quality. However, use of these powers has been limited to a small scheme in Durham and, more recently, limited emissions-targeted schemes in places like Brighton and Nottingham.
The only congestion scheme in the UK is the one in London; plans to introduce such a scheme in Cambridge, Edinburgh and Manchester collapsed in the mid-2000s, in two cases following substantial defeats in local referenda.
However, poor air quality in many urban areas has led to a resurgence of interest in local road charges, specifically by introducing ‘low emission’ or ‘clean air’ zones in cities and conurbations across the UK. The UK Government has published an Air Quality Plan and a Clean Air Zone Framework to enable localities to press ahead with the introduction of CAZs where necessary.
London has had a low emission zone since 2008, which has been gradually strengthened, and there are plans to make this an ‘ultra’ low emission zone by 2019. This paper does not deal with the London schemes: more information can be found in HC Library briefing paper SN2044.
Further information on road charging can be found on the Roads Briefings Page of the Parliament website.
Local road charges (262 KB , PDF)
On 25 June 2025 there will be an Estimates day debate on the spending of the Department for Transport
The UK's electric vehicle transition could help meet climate goals, and cut drivers’ running costs. Challenges include upfront prices and charging infrastructure.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 4.30pm on 23 June on an e-petition relating to geo-engineering and the environment. The debate will be opened by Dr Roz Savage MP.